Honorable David Adams was one of the earliest settlers in the northwestern portion of Jackson county, where he located in Tompkins, in the spring of 1833. At that time, in that now prosperous township, there was but a handful of people, and Adams' nearest neighbors were Abel Lyon, who lived half a mile away, Joseph Wade, one mile, Deacon Townley, two miles. Mr. Adams, J. M. Jamieson, Henry Hecox and D. W. Parchal came into the county together, and located lands for future homes. Adams and Jamieson were the only ones of the company who had means enough to move their families, and the following fall they made clearings and put up houses. Jamieson kept bachelor's hall; and the next summer Adams's family came on via the Erie Canal to Buffalo, whence they took steamboat to Detroit. From the latter place they were conveyed to their future home in a wagon; a three days' journey over rough logways, and through almost bottomless marshes, with mosquitoes swarming about them in clouds. They often got stuck in the swales, when they were forced to unhitch and double teams to pull them out. One of the drivers on this trip declared that 'his team went in out of sight, but he kept whipping and hallooing at the hole, and they eventually came out all right on the other side!"

     Of the many discouragements and hardships of those early days it is unnecessary to speak, as the old settlers have had experience in that direction and know all about them; while the younger generation could not realize how great they were, even if told them. But those early days were not without their pleasures of a social nature. The oxen would be yoked to the large lumbering ox-sled; there were no horses in those days' straw would be used to sit upon, and a buffalo robe or a few bed-quilts employed to wrap women and children, and off would start a family to spend the day or evening with neighbors, taking other families on the way along with them. There were no broadcloths, no silks, no "fuss" in the preparations; they were ready at a moment's warning; there was no necessity to notify anyone, as they were every day alike, and went just as they were, as regards their personal outfits. Nor was it deemed necessary to apprise the family they intended visiting that they were coming, as "pot-luck" was the word in those days, - there being no luxuries to offer. What was lacking in high living was made up in good feeling. All went in for a good time generally-singing, dancing, telling stories, and merry-making; and often an entire night would be thus spent, as it was found difficult, seemingly, for the settlers to separate early when they got together on such occasions. They were hail-fellows well met, and ready with a helping hand in time of need.

     Mr. Adams was thrown upon his own resources at an early age. While a boy he learned the shoemaking trade, and later learned the jeweler's trade, in the days when spoons were made by hand. He located and opened a shop in Lyons, N. Y., where he married Hannah Perrine, who proved to be a help indeed, cheering and assisting in every womanly way to make their home bright and happy. She was noted for never complaining, but always making the best of everything as it came. In his younger days he was one of those generous, wholesouled men, to whom a dollar's worth of fun was worth five dollars of cash at any time; consequently he was not overburdened with this world's goods. He often remarked that had he not married a prudent wife he would probably never have laid up anything. When he came West he was not rich, but had enough to keep the wolf from his own door, and some to help his less prosperous neighbors; for he was no niggard, but generous to a fault, often putting himself out to accommodate a friend. He never turned any away hungry from his door; his "latch-string" was always out; his unvarying price for a meal was "$14." He was always an earnest politician. He and T. E. Gidley, with a few others of like political faith, met at Slab City, a little west of where Parma now stands, and organized the Whig party in this county. He remained in the party until it went to pieces, or was merged into the Republican party of which he was an earnest worker.

     In the early days the circuit court consisted of a judge and two associates. Mr Adams was one of the associates, hence his title of "Judge." In Woodbridge and reform times he was appointed "agent" of the State prison, then in its infancy, which office he held two years, when the political complexion of the State changed, and he was rotated out for another, returning to his farm. Shortly after this time he joined the M. E, Church, of which he remained a consistent member, ever ready with his talent, time and money to help on the cause he espoused. His temperament was of the nervous, sanguine order, which always made him look on the bright side of events; consequently he was always cheerful and happy, with a good word for all. Although an earnest Christian, he was no bigot; his charity was large, always contending that there was much more good than evil in man. He had many warm friends and but few enemies. The latter never questioned his honesty of purpose or the purity of this intentions.